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Family Support Studies (MA, PDip)

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Course Overview

The primary focus of family support is on early intervention and prevention, aiming to promote and protect the health, well-being and rights of all children, young people and their families, paying particular attention to those who are vulnerable or at risk. The aim of this programme is to further the education and skills of professionals with a common interest in family support.

The aim of this programme is to further the education and skills of professionals with a common interest in family support. It has a strong emphasis on applying a range of FS theories and concepts and in a range of practices across a wide range of roles and disciplines in the human services arena. The programme incorporates skills and knowledge on social science research and evaluation. 

Established in 2003, this programme is the only one of its kind in Europe with an emphasis on applying a Family Support orientation across a wide range of practice and policy arenas.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here. 

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. 

Who Teaches this Course

researcher
Dr Carmel Devaney
BA, MA. PhD
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researcher
Prof John Canavan
BA, MA, PhD.
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researcher
Prof Patrick Dolan
M.Litt, Phd
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researcher
Dr Bernadine Brady
B.Sc., MA, PhD
Senior Lecturer
School of Political Science
& Sociology
NUI Galway
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researcher
Dr Brian McGrath
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researcher
Prof Caroline Mc Gregor
B.S.S., CQSW, Ph.D., PGCHET
Professor of Political Science and Sociology- Social Work
Room 1001, ILAS
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment of candidates is on a continuous basis, varies from module to module and involves a combination of essays, project work, and written assignments. Central to students’ assessment is their ‘on site’ placement and associated practice and their Year Two research project (minor dissertation).

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Participants will have a third-level qualification or a recognised professional qualification in a field broadly related to family support service delivery. In addition, as the programme is not geared towards individuals coming out of undergraduate programmes, a minimum of three years’ work experience in the health and social services area is required of candidates. As there currently exists a set of practitioners working with children and families who, despite a wealth of skills, have not attained a formal, recognised undergraduate qualification, two places may be offered on the programme at the PDip (Family Support Studies) level.


Additional Requirements

Duration

2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2023

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MA-FS (MA); PGD-FS (PDip)

Course Outline

This is a two-year part-time programme and students are required to attend college two days every second week over four semesters with the agreement of their employers. There are seven modules in total on the programme; three of these are core modules and are taught in both years.

Year 1 (45 Credits)
Required SP576: Child Protection and Family Support
Required SP577: Community Development and Families
Required SP572: Family Support Theory I
Required SP573: Family Support Practice I
Required SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I
Required SP575: Family Support Practice Seminars
Required SP530: Working with Specific Populations

Year 2 (45 Credits)
Required SP579: Family Support Theory II
Required SP580: Family Support Practice II
Required SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II
Required SP582: Law and Family Support
Required SP583: Health Promotion and Families
Required SP584: Thesis Research Seminars

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (45 Credits)

Required SP6124: Dissertation Workshops


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module provides the opportunity for students to engage in a series of workshops relevant to the development of their dissertations. The workshops are led by academic staff with diverse and varied research experience. The workshop topics include academic writing, critical thinking, and the development of a research proposal, along with workshops focused on specific fields of research.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Design research study.
  2. Identify and critically analyse arguments.
  3. Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.
  4. Prepare for and engage in workshops on these topics.
  5. Complete projects that are well presented, based on independent research, correctly referenced, and cogently argued.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (70%)
  • Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (30%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
Reading List
  1. "Principles of biomedical ethics" by Beauchamp, Tom L. and James F. Childress
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
  2. "Qualitative research methods for the social sciences" by Bruce Berg
    Publisher: Pearson
  3. "Ethical argument" by Hugh Mercer Cutler
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
The above information outlines module SP6124: "Dissertation Workshops" and is valid from 2022 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP576: Child Protection and Family Support


Semester 1 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP576: "Child Protection and Family Support" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP577: Community Development and Families


Semester 1 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP577: "Community Development and Families" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5


(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Participants understand key theoretical frameworks and concepts for thinking about families, children and young people
  2. Participants can effectively analyse and reflect on key issues in family life for children, young people and parents
  3. Participants are aware of and able to analyse key policies relevant to children, youth and families
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP574: "Families and Children in Society and Policy I" and is valid from 2021 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP6129: Applied Family Support Seminars


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module explores example of Family Support in Practice across a number of different areas. This includes individual work, group work, family work and parenting support.

Learning Outcomes
  1. Students will consider the transferable skills in Family Support across a number of different contexts
  2. Students will become familiar with the challenges associated with delivery Family Support in practice
  3. Students will reflect on the impact of family Support across a number of contexts
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP6129: "Applied Family Support Seminars" and is valid from 2021 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP572: Family Support Theory I


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP572: "Family Support Theory I" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP573: Family Support Practice I


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP573: "Family Support Practice I" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP530: Working with Specific Populations


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP530: "Working with Specific Populations" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Year 2 (45 Credits)

Required SP579: Family Support Theory II


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP579: "Family Support Theory II" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP580: Family Support Practice II


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP580: "Family Support Practice II" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP582: Law and Family Support


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP582: "Law and Family Support" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP583: Health Promotion and Families


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP583: "Health Promotion and Families" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP584: Thesis Research Seminars


Semester 2 | Credits: 20

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Research (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP584: "Thesis Research Seminars" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II


Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module SP581: "Families and Children in Society and Policy II" and is valid from 2021 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates will have the opportunity to enhance their careers in a wide range of service areas at both practitioner and manager level, working in state and voluntary services on behalf of children and families. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the family support area, the programme is geared towards those working in social work, social care, community work, public health nursing, disability, education, justice, social welfare, early years, gerontology, and other related fields.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€2,005 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Tuition

€1,900 p.a.2023/24

Fees: Student levy

€105 p.a. 2023/24

Fees: Non EU

€

Find out More

Dr. Carmel Devaney
Course Director, Child and Family Research Centre,
School of Political Science and Sociology,
University of Galway.
T: +353 91 495 733
E: carmel.devaney@universityofgalway.ie

www.universityofgalway.ie/cfrc

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  • Postgraduate Prospectus 2023

    Postgraduate Prospectus 2023 PDF (20.6MB)